Tuvalu seeks to retain statehood if it sinks completely as sea levels rise
GuardianNov 27, 2021
The Facts
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Tuvalu counterpart Kausea Natano announced on the sidelines of a regional meeting in the Cook Islands on Friday the signing of a pact to stimulate migration while providing a security guarantee for the Pacific Island nation to respond to security challenges and natural disasters.
Acknowledging the vulnerability of Tuvalu to rising sea levels, Australia has pledged to assist its little more than 11K population to stay "in their homes with safety and dignity" and will offer permanent residency to up to 280 Tuvaluans annually.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
This is a historic agreement for both the Pacific microstate of Tuvalu and Australia. On one hand, it will allow Tuvaluans to migrate gradually and with dignity, as the country is at risk of disappearing due to climate change. On the other hand, this three-part integration initiative marks a significant victory for Canberra in its efforts to keep Beijing at bay in the region.
Pro-China narrative
Australia has long been the bully in the South Pacific, acting as the manager of the US in what they perceive as the country's backyard and treating island nations as vassal states with a colonialist mentality. This treaty with Tuvalu is just the latest attempt to protect its hegemonic system while China seeks to ramp up cooperation and economic exchanges in that region.
